Lifestyle

Lucknow, June 2 (IANS) A 21-year-old woman has saved her father by donating her liver for him.

Nisha Gupta also sacrificed one year of her career for this-she was pursuing B.A. (Hons) political science.

Sanjay Gupta, 51, a vegetable seller in Ghaziabad district, underwent a liver transplant at King George's Medical University (KGMU) on May 15.

While the donor was discharged earlier, the recipient was discharged on Thursday.

As per KGMU officials, the family had to spend only Rs 6.5 lakhs out of Rs 12 lakhs. The rest of the money was arranged by university faculty members with the help of social help groups.

Talking to reporters, Sanjay expressed his gratitude towards his daughter and said: "My daughter became a goddess for me, like Durga. May God bless every parent with a daughter like her.

"Some people still say that daughters are a burden, but they fail to understand that daughters are power."

Sanjay's son Avinash Gupta said: "We were depressed when my liver failed, along with that of my mother and my uncle, but thankfully my sister's organ matched."

Subsequently, counsellors at the organ donation unit of KGMU, Piyush Srivastava and Kshitiz Verma, briefed Nisha about the surgery and she gave her consent, he said.

A team of doctors led by KGMU vice chancellor Lt Gen (Retd) Prof Bipin Puri and headed by Prof Abhijeet Chandra of the surgical gastroenterology department, performed the procedure.

"We are really thankful to the doctors who not only performed surgery but also helped us arrange money and care for us," Avinash added.

--IANS
amita/ksk/

By Vishal Gulati
Shimla, May 23 (IANS) In a first-of-its-kind, the renovated 143-year-old Bantony Castle, once the summer palace of the erstwhile ruler of Sirmaur province, on Tuesday saw the first light and sound show, a captivating event that combines the rich history of the grand castle and Shimla city with a mesmerising audiovisual experience.


It is likely to be released for ticketed viewing of the visitors from June 1 when the sun goes down, Secretary, Language, Art and Culture Rakesh Kanwar told IANS.

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who has a deep emotional bond with the 'Queen of Hills', where he spent his formative years, narrates the light and sound show that will be showcased to the public in English and Hindi with a seating arrangement of 70 for a one-time watch.

The two-storey Bantony Castle, located near Scandal Point on the famous Ridge, is reconstructed in the mock Tudor style, part chalet and crowned with a sloping roof with mini towers.

The building is said to have been designed by TEG Cooper under the watchful eye of Raja Surender Bikram Prakash and before its construction began in 1880 the site had a cottage belonging to Captain A. Gordon which housed army officers.

During the two World Wars, the rulers of Sirmaur allowed the colonial government to use the premises for military purposes.

During the Second World War, it lays the Prisoner of War section attached to All India Radio for handling messages of mostly Italian prisoners interred at Yol near Dharamsala town, some 250 km from here.

Just after Independence, leading English daily The Tribune, which had been based in Lahore, began functioning at Bantony Castle till it shifted to Chandigarh.

Just before the Independence, Bantony passed into the hands of the Maharaja of Darbhanga. In 1957-58, Maharaja Sir Kameshwar Singh of Darbhanga gave the property on rent to the Punjab government, and various wings of initially Punjab and later Himachal Police were based in it for several years.

The Police Officers' mess was also located on its premises.

While still with the police in 1968, the Bantony estate was purchased by the prominent local business family of Ram Krishan and Sons. The state acquired this 19,000 sq m estate and structures in 2017 to create the elaborate complex that Bantony now houses.

The Bantony Castle has now been restored at a cost of about approximately Rs 29 crore and houses a heritage museum, a multipurpose hall and an art and craft centre, all to be opened soon for the public.

In the main building of the castle, a digital museum will be opening shortly which is expected to be innovative, people-oriented and immersive.

The mesmerising 30-minute light and sound show (in separate Hindi and English versions) will captivate the senses from start to finish and describe the journey of various facets of this historical town.

This show is a dramatic retelling of Shimla's story from its foundation to the modern day.

The light and sound show will be the first production to use digital art technology to depict the magnificent history of Shimla through the eye of Bantony Castle right from its foundation at a historical site.

This show, a first for the hilly town, will serve as a major attraction for locals and tourists alike in days to come, adds the government.

Tourism Department officials told IANS, Bantony along with the newly restored British-era Town Hall and Gaiety Theatre, which all lie on the historic Ridge -- an open space just above the Mall -- extending to Grand Hotel in the west and the Lakkar Bazaar in the east, will be a favourite haunt of those out for a stroll to see the Shimla's legacy.

Shimla was the summer capital of the British rulers between 1864 and 1939.

Shimla's history goes beyond British India.

Mahatma Gandhi visited Shimla several times in the days leading to the country's Independence in 1947. On some occasions, leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya and Lala Lajpat Rai accompanied him.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)

--IANS
vg/uk/

London, May 19 (IANS) People with genetic tendency toward higher levels of hypertension and cholesterol could be at a potential risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, included 39,106 people with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's and 401,577 controls who did not have the disease.

The team from Copenhagen University in Denmark found that people who had certain genes that led to higher levels of a type of cholesterol called high-density lipoprotein, also known as HDL or "good" cholesterol, had a slightly higher chance of developing Alzheimer's.

For every standard deviation increase in HDL cholesterol, the researchers found about 10 per cent increase in the risk of Alzheimer's.

A similar increased risk was found for people with the genes responsible for higher systolic blood pressure. For every 10 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) increase in systolic blood pressure, the risk of developing Alzheimer's increased 1.22 times.

"This genetic association study found novel genetic associations between high HDL cholesterol concentrations and high systolic blood pressure with higher risk of Alzheimer's disease. These findings may inspire new drug targeting and improved prevention implementation," Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, from the varsity's Department of Clinical Biochemistry.

The study, however, did not find any consistent evidence for genetic associations with other lipid traits, nor did it find evidence that BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking or diabetes increased the odds of developing Alzheimer's.

As the participants were majorly of European descent, the study cannot be generalised. The study also did not show that genes predetermine people to Alzheimer's, said the team, stressing the need for further research.

--IANS
rvt/vd

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Obesity has a huge impact on physical health, psycho-social and mental health, and can increase the risk of depression, especially among children and adolescents, said doctors on Friday.

Obesity is one of the fastest growing chronic health conditions, rising quite rapidly in children and adolescents.

The World Obesity Federation in a 2023 report predicted that in the next 12 years, more than 51 per cent of the world's population will be overweight or obese.

"Being obese can lead children to experience subtle forms of teasing and discrimination, they might develop the tendency to stay isolated and turn to food as a comfort," Dr. Arun Bhardwaj, Consultant - Minimal access and Bariatric surgery, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, told IANS.

"When compared with normal-weight children, those with obesity have a 32 per cent greater chance of developing depression. This number is even higher for young girls and they have a 44 per cent higher chance of developing depression when compared with normal-weight girls," added Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker, Consultant Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.

Childhood obesity has now become an epidemic in India.

According to a national study, about 14.4 million obese children are in India, and it has the second-highest number of obese children in the world, next to China.

"Obesity and depression are closely related and can have a major impact on a child's life. Lack of playtime with friends and inability to participate in games like peers can cause depression in children. This becomes a vicious cycle where the child starts binge eating as comfort food which in turn leads to more complications," Dr. Bhardwaj told IANS.

In addition, obese children are also more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, and weight bias both in school and family settings.

"Parents' lack of knowledge and awareness about obesity leads to an inability to guide their children and may sometimes lead to increased mental anxiety in both. Children with obesity tend to suffer from neglect and are poorly treated. Together, this can lead to increased stress which further aggravates emotional eating behaviour, poor sleep, and fatigue, in turn leading to more weight gain," Dr. Bhasker added.

Further, childhood obesity also has other health implications.

Obese children are at increased risk of hypertension, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol and triglycerides, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, respiratory problems, emotional disturbances, and some cancers.

Two in three obese children will also remain obese as adults and at risk for adult lifestyle diseases.

In girls, childhood obesity can lead to "irregular menstruation, endometrial polyps, stress urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse in later life", said Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Mumbai.

"Obesity can cause insulin resistance later which is commonly seen in those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Having PCOS will further increase weight, making them feel embarrassed and lonely," she added.

Both parents and teachers have an important role to play when it comes to supporting children and adolescents with obesity.

Parents must be conscious about inculcating good eating habits in their children. They must limit exposure to junk food and sugary drinks and encourage kids to have more fresh fruits and vegetables. Screen time must be limited and there must be an emphasis on pushing the children out to play in open areas, Dr. Bhasker said.

She also called upon schools to stop keeping junk food and sugary drinks in canteens.

--IANS
rvt/vd

By IANSlife
New Delhi, May 12 (IANSlife) This Mother's Day, are you considering surprising your mother with something special? Give her something she can enjoy with you so you may make some special moments together. With a well-thought-out getaway that you can both enjoy and tick off her bucket list, surprise your super-mom. Whether your mother loves an adrenaline thrill or some downtime at the spa, a walk in the mountains or an authentic culinary experience, Booking.com has put together a list of events that are sure to make her feel particularly special.


For the foodie mom

If your mother is seeking for a culinary experience, Hyderabad is a fantastic destination thanks to the world-famous Charminar and mouthwatering cuisine. She might celebrate Mother's Day by enjoying a gourmet tour of the city, which is home to many street food booths, recognisable bakeries, and well-known restaurants serving Nizam's rich gravies and luscious sweets. Hyderabadi biryani is a delicacy that must be indulged in while visiting the city. Booking the Biryani tour, which examines the interesting history of biryani in Hyderabad, or the Evening Street Food Walk, which also allows you the chance to eat this Hyderabadi staple and indulge your inner foodie, are two ways to experience this.

For the mom who is spiritual

If your mother has a spiritual bent, she would adore Varanasi's Ganga Aarti's sights and sounds. A sight to behold is the evening aarti conducted at the banks of the Ganga, which features lights, cymbals, incense, and people chanting and singing hymns. While in Varanasi, you can either book the Guided Holy City Tour with a Boat Ride to experience the culture of Varanasi, indulge in some local cuisine, and participate in a variety of local activities, or you can visit the ancient temples of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Monkey Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, and Birla Temple and soak up the spiritual vibe of the city. The ideal Mother's Day idea to honour her faith and compassion.

For the mom who loves to shop

Shopping is a great idea for a Mother's Day celebration. And no better place to take her than Jaipur. Plan a day of shopping so you and your mom can spend some memorable time together exploring the vibrant local markets and fascinating local brands. Sign up for the Jaipur Markets Shopping Tour where you can explore some traditional bazaars and shop for jewellery, clothes, footwear, local handicrafts, pottery and souvenirs to take back home. You can also visit the Sanganer factory to see how the handmade paper goods are manufactured or Tripolia Bazaar for some local spices. Wrap your Mother's Day special shopping trip by heading over to a local restaurant and indulging in some local Rajasthani cuisine as you soak in the experience of the Pink City.

For the mother who loves nature/adventure

Munnar, where the hills are bordered by tea plantations and where adventurers throng, is the ideal place for your mother to visit if she likes the outdoors. Paragliding is available in the city, as are walks that start at the meeting of three mountain streams and ascents to Anaimudi, the tallest hill in South India. On Mother's Day, you and your mother can escape your normal routine and experience an adrenaline rush by going on a trek and engaging in activities like the Letchmi Hills Hike, all the while learning about the meadows, tea plantations and mountain slopes. You might also simply unwind in Munnar's serene surroundings at the end of the day.

For the mother who loves to rejuvenate

Everyone occasionally needs to focus on taking care of themselves by partaking in rejuvenating activities while taking a much-needed vacation from their everyday routine. Exercise, meditation, reading, writing, viewing your vision board, speaking affirmations, and writing them down are just a few of the straightforward but effective rituals that can make one feel good throughout the day. Why not give your mother the much-needed break she deserves this Mother's Day by taking her on a yoga and meditation experience? Yoga and meditation not only refresh the body and mind while reducing stress, but they also help boost the mood. Give your mum a day off from work; she deserves it.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
IANSlife/tb

By IANSlife
New Delhi, May 12 (IANSlife) A workshop is designed to provide children with a platform to learn, grow and showcase their skills in various fields such as acting, dancing, personality development, and other activities. Big Boy Toyz's "Rise to Fame" workshop will be a ten-day workshop event taking place from May 22 to 31 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Big Boy Toyz, Gurgaon creating a unique opportunity for children aged between 5-18 years old to showcase their talents and feature on the brand's social media channels.


A variety of subjects will be covered in the session, such as how to increase confidence, how to walk on a ramp, how to pose and dress attractively, and how to perform in front of cameras and live audiences. Lessons on the significance and influence of Indian culture, self-introduction, and how to present a profile during auditions will also be covered. The session will end with performances in the theatre, dancing, photoshoots, reels, and other things.

Ritika Jatin Ahuja, Chief Operating Officer and Marketing Head of Big Boy Toyz, stated, "We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to young talent across India. At Big Boy Toyz, we believe that every child has a unique talent waiting to be discovered, and we want to provide them with a platform to showcase their skills. Through this workshop, we aim to help children build confidence, learn new skills, and tap into their creative potential."

The Founder of LittleTagsLuxury, Chandni Agarwal, expressed her delight by saying, "Success is not just about talent, it's also about opportunity. That's why we at LittleTagsLuxury are thrilled to collaborate with Big Boy Toyz for the Rise to Fame workshop, which aims to provide young artists with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's competitive world. We believe that every child deserves the chance to shine, and we are excited to help them do just that."

The workshop will be conducted by certified professionals and will offer a chance for kids to meet and greet with popular YouTubers such as My Miss Anand, RS 1313 VLOGS, and Rachit Rojha. Participants will also have a chance to walk on a ramp, win the BBT 2023 crown, and receive certification and winning gifts. For further details and registration, interested participants can visit the Big Boy Toyz website or social media channels.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
IANSlife/tb

By IANSlife
New Delhi, May 12 (IANSlife) Designer Amit Aggarwal opened his third store, this one at Delhi's DLF Emporio, setting a new record. For the opening, attendees were treated to Aggarwal's unique world, where fashion and art converged to create a mesmerising experience, and set out on an enchanted voyage.


His collections have always been built around innovation, and the shop is no different. A clean and contemporary ambiance is created by the store's elegant minimalist design, which combines charcoal and metal materials. The goal was to infuse the store's merchandise with a feeling of adaptability and timelessness as well as an understanding of the ways in which fashion and art may interact with one another and affect one another.

Each pod constructed with distinctive handcrafted textiles is reminiscent of a nucleus that contains the blueprint for how we live, grow, reproduce, and regenerate. This is in keeping with the brand's language and values about perpetual evolution, narrating the tale of peace attained in a place of newfound optimism, creation, and the feeling of the absolute and infinite.

The evening witnessed conversations, an array of eclectic cocktails courtesy GreyGoose and a delectable culinary experience. The event kicked off with a magical tour of the store brought to life with whimsical floral arrangements by Interflora. Some of the prominent names that were present at the event included the ever so iconic and timeless Zeenat Aman wearing one of the most captivating designs of Amit Aggarwal. Guests from the evening included people from varied fields of fashion, design, art, bollywood and business included Uorfi, Kusha Kapila, and cast from the popular netflix show Class - Ayesha Kanga, Chayan Chopra, Moses Koul, Anjali Sivaraman and Naina Bhan.

Also present at the event were members from Indian Art Fair and Serendipity Arts festival.

Speaking on the occasion Amit Aggarwal adds "The idea was to have a space which speaks of brand narratives that transcends the boundaries of clothing and art and we needed an extension of the same to speak about the deeper, more thoughtful aspects of the brand that gets lost in retail."

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
IANSlife/tb

By Anurag Saxena
New Delhi, May 9 (IANSlife) An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! This came into realisation during the chaotic times of the pandemic when washing hands thoroughly was the most basic precaution asked by the government and healthcare authorities. However, hygiene has always lagged behind in most countries of the world resulting in the WHO recognising WASH (Water, sanitation and hygiene) as a human right for all and including it in the Sustainable Development Goals tailored for the world.


In India, the state of WASH is gradually improving but still has a huge scope for improvement and increased awareness drive. During the period of 2010-2013, India recorded 7.5 per cent of deaths among all age groups because of diarrhoea, malaria and some tropical diseases while more than 1.32 crore cases of acute diarrhoeal disease were listed in the country in 2019. The data is enough to highlight how important it is to integrate hygiene practices like washing hands in our lives as effective preventive measures.

Hands are used in almost every activity we perform throughout the day. Washing them rigorously is the cornerstone of maintaining good hygiene. And hygiene has never harmed anyone! Knowingly or unknowingly we get in contact with a lot of germs and these are carriers of many infections along with troublesome conditions like diarrhoea. To protect against a wide range of diseases like pneumonia, diarrhoea and more, washing hands is the most pocket-friendly method. We prepare, eat food, touch a public place, and touch and handle things that many people previously handled, treat wounds, care for a sick person and do much more with our hands. Thanks to the pandemic, the significance of washing hands was spread broadly, but did we take it seriously? According to UNICEF, people, especially men, do not use hygiene facilities consistently. There is a dire need for impactful political support and behavioural change interventions to spread awareness for sizable improvements in this direction.

Diarrhoea and washing hands

Germs like Salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli O157 are responsible for diarrhoea. These are also important sources of faeces from people or animals. They have the capacity to spread respiratory infections like hand-foot-mouth disease and adenovirus. The germs can easily get on the hands of people and spread when using the toilet or doing any other activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing education in the communities can help reduce diarrhoeal issues among people with weak immune systems by approximately 58 per cent. Around 1.8 million children under the age of five lose their lives every year due to diarrheal diseases and pneumonia. These are the top reasons why kids end up in fatal situations around the world

What do facts say?

Research says that around 2.3 people lack hand washing facilities with soap and water at home. Such a lack of facilities is highly problematic for children. Half of the schools have a paucity of handwashing facilities with soap and water. This affects approximately 802 million school-going children. Also, there is a lack of hygiene facilities, especially soap and water to wash hands at places providing health care facilities. These places have a high chance of catching viral bacteria and other contaminations. If there is no proper hygiene maintained here, serious consequences and even fatal outcomes can happen.

Maintaining hand hygiene

One should take responsibility for understanding the key timings and duration of washing hands. Awareness regarding hand hygiene in the home and community needs to be implemented to spread the message as much as possible. Health promotional materials along with the resources to wash hands should be distributed in remote areas and educational institutions. Soap, sanitisers and other materials come under the resources. October 15 is Global Handwashing Day. There can be numerous activities and creative competitions like poster making etc in schools to highlight the importance of hand hygiene. As a responsible citizen, one can promote awareness via videos, creative campaigns, social media hashtags, podcasts and more to get the noble cause a direction.

Monitoring change by making services available and driving policies

The government and healthcare authorities can come together to develop handwashing policies, strategies and action plans. India is almost the leading country in terms of population at the moment. Hence, it is impossible to reach every nook and corner of the country to spread awareness. Thanks to digitalisation! Digitisation can reach everywhere throughout the world. Effective messages on government, as well as healthcare online platforms, can make a big difference. Making services accessible to the most vulnerable is the foundation of achieving this goal.

Failing to plan is planning to fail. A country with massive diversity needs strict measures to come out of the traditional beliefs, social stigma and financial issues in order to take action for healthy citizens. Children suffer more than anyone due to the lack of hygiene. Their bodies are not ready to deal with harsh conditions and vulnerability at a very young age makes it much more complicated for them to battle. Keeping them clean and encouraging hygiene habits in them is the first step to saving them from a wide range of diseases.

(Dr. Anurag Saxena, HOD-Internal medicine, Primus Super Speciality Hospital)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
anurag/tb

New York, May 7 (IANS) Quitting smoking early was associated with higher survival rates following a lung cancer diagnosis, according to a study.

The study, led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, showed that compared to those who never smoked and were being treated for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), current smokers had 68 per cent higher mortality and former smokers had 26 per cent higher mortality.

"Our participants' smoking histories varied, with some having stopped smoking a few years before their diagnosis and others having stopped several decades before," said senior author David Christiani, Professor of Environmental Genetics.

"This wide range gave us confidence in our results -- that the benefit of pre-diagnosis smoking cessation persists even after lung cancer is diagnosed."

The study, published online in JAMA Network Open, followed 5,594 patients with NSCLC -- which accounts for 85 per cent of all lung cancer cases -- enrolled between 1992 and 2022. Of these participants, 795 had never smoked; 3,308 were former smokers; and 1,491 were current smokers.

During the study period, 3,842 of the participants died: 79.3 per cent of the current smokers, 66.8 per cent of the former smokers, and 59.6 per cent of the never smokers.

While never smoking was associated with the best odds of survival after a lung cancer diagnosis, the findings showed significant associations between lower mortality and having quit smoking pre-diagnosis.

The longer a patient went without smoking, the more health benefits they accrued: For former smokers, doubling the years of smoking cessation before their lung cancer diagnosis was significantly associated with prolonged survival.

Conversely, doubling smoking-pack years was associated with shorter survival among current and former smokers diagnosed with NSCLC.

The researchers noted that associations between survival and smoking history may vary depending on the clinical stage at which lung cancer was diagnosed, and that the study did not account for the different kinds of treatment participants were receiving.

--IANS
rvt/pgh

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Genetics, coupled with increased consumption of tobacco products, may explain the reason why men are more prone to bladder cancer, experts said here on Sunday.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most prevalent cancer among men, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). About 550,000 new cases are detected every year worldwide.

The disease develops when bladder tissue cells begin to separate uncontrollably, and the incidence of bladder cancer is higher in males compared to females.

India has about 21,000 new cases of bladder cancer, and the incidence has been increasing over the last few years.

A recent report from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showed that Delhi has the highest cases of bladder cancer, followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Kolkata. Delhi also has the highest incidence of bladder cancer in females followed by Mumbai and Mizoram.

"Bladder cancer ranks among the top 10 types of cancer affecting thousands of people in India annually. While it can occur in both men and women, men are more commonly affected, likely due to genetics and lifestyle," Dr Bhaskar Singh, from HCG NCHRI Cancer Centre - Nagpur, told IANS.

"Consumption of tobacco is a common reason for the increasing incidence of bladder cancer in India. The other reason is exposure to aromatic amines and carbon black dust in rubber, leather, and dye industries. The smokers have three-four times higher risk of bladder cancer as compared to non-smokers," added Dr (Brig) A.K. Dhar, Senior Consultant Medical and Hemato Oncology, American Oncology Institute, Gurugram.

Dhar stated that the incidence of bladder cancer is four times higher in males as compared to females.

Another reason behind increased risk among men include the role of sex hormones.

"It is believed that androgen promotes, and oestrogen inhibits bladder carcinogenesis in the progression phase," Dhar told IANS.

In addition, men who undergo radiation therapy for prostate cancer also have an increased risk of bladder cancer, the expert noted.

However, changing some lifestyle habits can lower the risk of bladder cancer.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do, as smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for bladder cancer.

"Tobacco is responsible for 40-50 per cent of bladder cancer. Quitting all kinds of tobacco will help in reduction of bladder cancer," Dhar said.

Staying hydrated and avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals, such as those in certain industrial or agricultural settings, can also help reduce risk.

Regular screenings can also greatly increase the chances of successful treatment, as bladder cancer is often easier to treat in its early stages.

"If you experience symptoms such as blood in your urine, pain during urination, or frequent urination, it's important to see a doctor immediately. Several conditions can cause these symptoms, but it's important to rule out bladder cancer as a potential cause," Singh said.

--IANS
rvt/prw/vd